Volunteer Opportunties

Our volunteers selflessly give thousands of hours each year helping our patients and families, working in the office, manning our booth at special events, and dozens of other activities. We couldn’t continue to operate without volunteers; according to Medicare guidelines, at least five percent of all hours worked at hospices each year must be contributed by volunteers. Volunteers are truly our most valuable resource! HELP WANTED! Burke Hospice & Palliative Care is always looking for friendly, helpful people to join our volunteer “family.” Whether you have two hours to give or 200, you can make a difference at Burke Hospice! We always need volunteers for… Patient Care—This is our single biggest need. Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy talking with people and swapping stories? Are you patient and compassionate? Our patients would love to have you for a friend. You can bring them companionship and a link to the outside world. You may choose to visit patients’ homes, nursing facilities, or our Hospice House. Scheduling is flexible. Visit in person, call on the phone, etc. Hospice House Greeters—Welcome visitors to the Hospice House with a compassionate smile. Greeters are needed daily. Thrifts & Gifts Store—You never know what might come in the door at our Thrifts & Gifts store in downtown Valdese. Hang clothes, greet shoppers, and help display our donated treasures!

• Transitions program—Be a sympathetic ear for those living with a serious diagnosis. Keep up phone contact and have the occasional visit for extra help.


• Bereavement Support—Walk beside those who have lost a loved one on their new path. Combine phone calls with cards, emails, and maybe some in-person visits.


• "Bouquet Buddies"—Take a large floral arrangement donated to our House and create special bouquets and displays for our patients' rooms. Use your creativity!


• "Friends of Hospice" Crafts Committee—Brighten our patients' days by making small gifts and crafts. Meets monthly.


• Thrift Store—You'll never know what might come in the door at our Thrifts & Gifts store in downtown Valdese. Hang clothes, greet shoppers, and and help display our donated treasures!


• "Friends of Hospice" Crafts Committee—Brighten our patients' days by making small gifts and crafts. Meets monthly.


• Administrative Assistance—Sort, file, fold, answer phones, and more! Let us know if you have computer skills.


• Special Events—Help man our booth at the fair, senior days, etc. Our greatest need for this kind of help is over the summer.


• Grounds/Facility Maintenance—Love working in the yard? Help us keep our grounds green and clean!

We ask our volunteers to spend about one to three hours per week with us. Scheduling is very flexible; you may choose to work during the day, in the evenings, or on weekends.

If you are interested in volunteering with Burke Hospice, it's easy to begin. Simply fill out our Adult or VolunTEEN application online via our secure FormSite pages:

Adult Volunteer Application — 3 pages to complete. To speed the process, have your employment & volunteering info and references ready before you begin.

VolunTEEN Application for 14-18-year-olds — 1 page to complete.

Please note that any information you submit to us on the applications will be kept confidential.

For more information about volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 828/879-1601 or email volunteer@burkehospice.org. We look forward to seeing you soon!